News and updates from BCSDN and the region
At the General Affairs Council, EU Ministers marked the launch of the European Centre for Democratic Resilience, a flagship initiative of the European Democracy Shield aimed at strengthening the EU’s response to threats such as disinformation, foreign interference, and electoral manipulation. The Centre will act as a strategic hub, connecting existing expertise, tools, and networks
Read more →CASE Coalition has opened nominations for the European SLAPP Contest 2026, highlighting the most abusive lawsuits filed in 2025 to intimidate journalists, activists, and civil society actors. The call invites submissions of the most egregious cases that demonstrate legal harassment, disproportionate claims, or efforts to silence public scrutiny. Selected nominees will be publicly highlighted, with
Read more →The war in Ukraine has revived EU enlargement, putting Montenegro and Albania at the forefront as negotiations advance, supported by Hungary’s pro-enlargement EU presidency—though final decisions rest with member states. Montenegro is considered the leading candidate, having opened all negotiating chapters and closed many, with possible membership by 2028 if reforms continue. Albania has also
Read more →Digital spaces are increasingly becoming a pressure point for civic voices in Southeast Europe, where environmental activists, independent media, and anti-corruption groups face growing risks from online harassment, surveillance concerns, disinformation, and legal intimidation. Monitoring by BIRN shows that attacks are often targeted at actors challenging entrenched political or economic interests. Environmental defenders have been
Read more →Draft annual reports on Albania, Montenegro, and North Macedonia were presented to the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET), stressing that rule-of-law reforms are essential for EU accession. Rapporteurs noted limited progress alongside challenges such as corruption, political polarization, judicial independence, and weak implementation of reforms. Albania was urged to strengthen anti-corruption efforts, Montenegro
Read more →BCSDN member Civic Initiatives has published an analysis of the 2024 public calls issued by Serbia’s Ministry for Family Care and Demography, revealing serious transparency and accountability concerns in the allocation of public funds. Across four calls, around 176.7 million RSD were awarded to 75 organizations, with a notable share going to associations lacking visible
Read more →Protests in Sarajevo erupted after a fatal tram accident on 12 February that killed a 23-year-old student and seriously injured several others. The tragedy has galvanised a new generation of young people, demanding accountability, safer public transport, and broader systemic change in a country widely seen as struggling with dysfunctional governance. Daily demonstrations led by
Read more →The Skopje Court of Appeal has upheld a defamation ruling against journalists from the Investigative Reporting Lab (IRL), including editor-in-chief Saška Cvetkovska, in a case widely described as a SLAPP case. The lawsuit was filed by businessman and former Deputy Prime Minister Kočo Angjušev over IRL’s documentary on the alleged use of heavily polluting oil
Read more →Against a backdrop of shrinking civic space and growing corporate pressure, Members of the European Parliament from across the political spectrum, including Renew Europe, the Socialists and Democrats, the Greens/EFA, the EPP, and The Left — have launched a Manifesto on Civil Society. Through the Interest Group on Civil Society, MEPs pledge to support, protect,
Read more →EU member state ambassadors held an extraordinary debate on Serbia following the adoption of judicial laws that the European Commission considers a step backwards in the rule of law. Several countries — including Scandinavian and Baltic states and the Netherlands — expressed serious concern and called for considering a suspension of payments from the EU
Read more →European CSOs have raised alarm after a US congressional report on alleged EU “censorship” published thousands of emails with the names of EU Commission officials and NGO staff visible, while tech company employees’ identities were redacted. The House Judiciary Committee report, based on subpoenaed communications with platforms such as Google, Meta and TikTok, is seen
Read more →International civil society organisations (ICSOs) are under growing pressure to rethink their roles amid declining public trust, funding constraints, and criticism over unequal partnerships. Calls for more locally led approaches emphasise the need to redistribute power and strengthen the autonomy of actors in the Global South. Rather than operating primarily as implementers or intermediaries, ICSOs
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